Military and Government Aid in Childbirth of Former NPA Fighter

Negros Oriental, Philippines – A former female fighter of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), recognized as a terrorist organization by the Philippine government, recently gave birth with support from the Negros Oriental provincial government and the Philippine Army. Known as ‘Ka Aubrey,’ the 29-year-old underwent a caesarean section on Saturday in a local hospital, delivering a girl weighing 2.8 pounds.

According to Philippines News Agency, Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, all of Aubrey’s needs during the childbirth were covered by the government. Batiller highlighted this instance as a prime example of the collaborative efforts between provincial, local governments, and other agencies, emphasizing their commitment to the welfare of people they serve, particularly former rebels seeking a new life after leaving the underground movement.

Aubrey was one of two pregnant NPA fighters from the dismantled South East Front in southern Negros Oriental, who were rescued last month by the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, and the 705th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force 7. The other rebel, known as ‘Ka Sarah,’ is also expecting and will give birth in the coming months.

Following her rescue, Aubrey was reunited with her two other daughters, aged 5 and 2, who had been left in the care of her family. She has urged her husband, who remains an active NPA member, to surrender.

Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, brigade commander, expressed in a statement that Aubrey’s story is reflective of the transformative impact of compassion and understanding extended by the government to those who have been involved with the CPP-NPA.